Voice search isn’t going away anytime soon. It is, in fact, more ubiquitous than it has ever been, and this is not going to change. According to recent statistics, voice searches will account for at least 50% of all queries by 2020.
This tidbit of knowledge is even more shocking. According to Gartner, the digital transformation leader, 30 percent of all queries will be screenless in the same time frame. Digital assistants like Alexa, Cortana, and Siri are frequently used in screenless searches. By 2024, experts predict that the voice speaker business will be worth more than $30 billion.
When we put all of these facts together, we can only come to one conclusion:
Companies who do not optimize for voice search now will lose business to those that do so later.
So, what do you need to know right now about voice search? What can you do to improve your site so that you get your fair share of voice traffic? Here’s everything you need to know about it.
What Are the Differences Between Voice Search and Traditional Search?
Don’t be fooled into thinking that voice search is nothing more than traditional search with a new name. It’s not the case. There are certain major variations in how consumers seek information when speaking aloud, and you need to be aware of them if you want to profit from the voice search trend.
The following are the primary distinctions:
Long-tail keywords are used in voice search. If you were looking for a product before voice search, you could just put it into Google and scroll through the results. You’re more likely to ask a very detailed query about where you can find the product in your neighborhood when using voice search. Short keywords, also known as head keywords, will not help you with voice search.
Voice search provides responses to queries. If someone wants to find the best pizza in Chicago, they’re not going to tell Siri “Minneapolis pizza.” They’ll probably phrase their inquiry as a question: Where can I get the best pizza near me? The queries that are most likely to attract visitors to your business should be answered in your content.
Consumers can avoid intermediate processes by using voice search. Traditional searches provide a list of results that the user can filter. The queries themselves work as filters in voice search, allowing a user to skip the filtering and go straight to purchasing a product.
There is only one result from a voice search. Traditional search queries provide you with a list of potential websites from which to choose. If you ask Cortana where you can buy your favorite brand of shoes, she will only give you one response.
The focus of voice search is on the user’s intent. That is, users ask Siri or Cortana precise questions with a specific goal in mind, such as going out to dine, buying a product, or finding a service.
What you should take up from this is that voice search is both competitive and specialized. It’s no longer sufficient to slap a few short keywords on a page and call it a day. Voice search optimization must be deliberate and considered.
Choosing Keywords for Voice Search
The selection of keywords is the first step in optimizing voice search. You know you need to concentrate on long-tail keywords, but which ones should you use?
Google’s newish “People Also Ask” feature is a fantastic place to start. When you Google a keyword related to your business, you’ll notice a box or two right below the top result or two with a list of frequently asked questions. You can utilize them to aid in the optimization of your page.
Another option is to look at the FAQ sections of your and your competitors’ websites to come up with voice search inquiries. The most commonly asked inquiries are likely to drive a lot of traffic to your website.
It’s also crucial to think about the purpose of the questions you ask. Keep in mind that voice searches are always asked with a specific goal in mind. The user is looking for a product or service, or they want to have an experience, or they need assistance with an issue. If you keep their aim in mind, you’ll be able to attract a lot of voice traffic.
Your queries should, of course, include your local keywords. Let’s pretend you own a pizza parlor in Minneapolis. Here are some voice query examples to get you started:
Which Minneapolis pizza joint is the best?
What is the best pizza place in Minneapolis?
In Minneapolis, where can I find vegan pizza?
You get my drift. You want to turn your long-term keywords into questions and use them as a source of content ideas.
Tips for Getting Your Website Ready for Voice Search
Now that you know why voice search is so crucial, it’s time to take action. Here’s what you should do when you’ve decided on some crucial questions to answer.
Construct a conversational user interface. To get visitors as far down your sales funnel as feasible, your new voice-optimized content needs to answer search questions as precisely as possible. This procedure takes patience and skill.
Put a lot of emphasis on localization. Most local companies rely on local clients, therefore location names are likely to appear in voice search searches. You should respond to their questions as precisely as possible while also ensuring that your company’s data is correctly indexed. People who need to find you will be able to do it this way.
On your pages, use Schema markup. Search engines like Google will be able to properly index your website and return it as a result for voice searches if you use Schema markup.
The ability to remain ahead of Google’s algorithm is perhaps the most compelling incentive to begin optimizing for voice search immediately. If you were one of the businesses whose rankings suffered as a result of Mobilegeddon, you know how damaging it can be to fall behind a search trend.
It’ll only be a matter of time before Google’s algorithm incorporates voice search. You don’t want to be scrambling when it happens, so take action right now.
Voice search isn’t going away anytime soon. If you accept the task, it is your responsibility to get on the bandwagon while there is still time. You’ll get an advantage over your sluggish competitors – and reap the benefits in the shape of a successful company.
